An Explanation and Analysis of Good Governance and Evil Governance

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Researcher, Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy, Qom, Iran. znsadr@gmail.com. ‎

10.22081/jislamicgo.2025.71125.1013

Abstract

Today, governance is a significant issue in global discourse, and it has recently gained widespread attention in our scientific community. This issue is explored and researched across various domains, including public administration, policymaking, economics, geography, political science, and planning. However, it appears that before conducting research in these fields, a fundamental approach should be taken, focusing on governance from a theological perspective. From the standpoint of theological governance, governance can be categorized into just governance and unjust governance or good governance and evil governance. Accordingly, the research question is: What are the components of good governance in contrast to evil governance, and what are the conditions for their realization in different eras? From this perspective, the present article employs conceptual analysis to define truth and falsehood and to explore the opposing forces of truth and ignorance in human history and the history of divine religions, particularly through a Quranic lens. The study examines the characteristics and conditions of good governance (the forces of intellect) and, in contrast, the characteristics and conditions of evil governance (the forces of ignorance). It also illustrates the ways in which the forces of intellect function as agents of good governance and, conversely, how the forces of ignorance operate as agents of evil governance. The findings indicate that, according to divine tradition, the struggle between good governance and evil governance, mediated by the forces of intellect and the forces of ignorance, has been a continuous phenomenon throughout history. At times, good governance has prevailed, while at other times, evil governance has gained the upper hand. However, based on divine tradition and Quranic verses, the ultimate victory will belong to good governance on a universal scale.

Keywords

References

* The Holy Quran
** Nahj al-Balagha
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Islamic Governance Studies
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
April 2025
Pages 308-340

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